Does anyone have suggestions for activities to do on the first day of class to introduce this type of course?

One class that has been successful revolves around the photograph by Joel Sternfeld entitled "Warren Avenue at 23rd Street, Detroit, Michigan, October 1993," which appears in the Introduction to Seeing & Writing (p. 24). Since this is the very first image that we look at together as a class, our discussion of the photograph sets the tone for our study of visual culture. Looking closely at the photograph gives us an opportunity to question some basic assumptions and to establish a common vocabulary for future discussions and writing. Before this class meeting, the students have been asked to come up with three observations about the photograph. We have discussed the differences between observation and inference in our previous class, and students have read the first part of the Introduction.

This sequence pulls exercises and readings from different parts of the book to introduce the class to ideas of observation, inference, and audience. I always use this sequence early in the term. My first goal is to familiarize the students with the process of making observations and inferences, first by asking the students to observe visual texts and then by asking them to observe their own writing. My second goal is for students to discover the role that audience plays not only in the style of an essay but in how its thesis is conceived. Conveniently, you can reference this exercise in future classes for a concrete example of the way audience changes an essay, in addition to examples of inventive thesis-making, inferences, and observing.

As teachers we hope students come to view revision as the re-seeing of their ideas and along with the reshaping of their texts. This process can involve elements of style, voice, purpose and audience. It can engage students in developing deeper meanings, crafting their words or more clearly communicating their ideas to others. This assignment helps students to realize that revision is more than editing.